Gate2Play, an end-to-end payment and value-added services platform based in Amman, Jordan, announced a first-time partnership with social games developer Zynga to distribute Zynga Game Cards in 16 countries throughout the Middle East and Africa. As a result of the partnership, Zynga Game Cards will be available for purchase soon in thousands of outlets as both physical pre-paid cards as well as virtual e-PINs.
Zynga Game Cards provide an easy way for players to pay for virtual goods within most of their favourite Zynga games including Empires and Allies, CityVille, FarmVille, and Mafia Wars. Available in values of $2, $5 and $10, these smaller currency amounts will give players more choices for the amount they want to spend on virtual goods within the game.
The partnership represents a way to introduce Zynga Game Cards into a region that is embracing social games while validating Gate2Play’s strong position within the MENA region as a premier payment aggregator.
Muhannad Ebwini, Chief Executive of Gate2Play, states that very few online users in the MENA region use credit cards, with the majority preferring alternate payment methods such as pre-paid cards, bank transfers, and SMS / Mobile payment –especially if they are available in small currency values.
“The pace at which the Middle East’s social gaming market is growing represents a significant opportunity for both Gate2Play and Zynga,” Ebwini said.
Zynga Game Cards will be available for purchase soon in nationwide convenience stores as well as region-specific retail outlets and telco operators. Through the partnership, Gate2Play will be making Zynga Game Cards available for the first time in 16 countries within the region including Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, the UAE, and Yemen.
Zynga is the world’s leading social games developer with more than 230 million players playing its games each month. Its newest game Empires and Allies was launched in 12 languages and is the company’s first combat strategy game.